Radio Receiver Sensitivity

The sensitivity of a radio receiver is a key operational parameter and it is limited by the system noise.

The sensitivity of a radio receiver determines the weakest signals that can be successfully receiver. Whether it is an audio signal for which the listening quality deteriorates as the signal falls into the noise, or a data signal where the bit error rate rises and throughput falls.

In this way, the radio receiver sensitivity is a key parameter that has an impact on the performance of any radio communications, broadcast or other system.

In fact, the two main requirements of any radio receiver are that it should be able to separate one station from another, i.e. selectivity, and sensitivity so that signals can be brought to a sufficient level above the noise to be able to use the modulation applied to the carrier that has been transmitted. As a result receiver designers battle with many parameters to make sure that both these requirements and many others are all fulfilled